Blogs

Food and clothing and shelter are important, and “the Father knows that you need them,” said Jesus.
But one day perhaps soon all these things will be irrelevant because Jesus will come back.
And only what was done for him, for our King’s kingdom will matter and last forever.
So Jesus said, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
The priority Jesus said is seeking his kingdom that it may come fully to earth as it is in heaven.
God’s will is that heaven and earth may be one in the worship of its King Jesus.

Acts 13:24, "Before the coming [eisidos] of Jesus [into ministry], John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel."

Luke 9:30-31, "Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure [exodos-death] which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem."

Greek: Eisodos - a coming into ministry

Greek: Exodos - a departure from life; death

John1:12-13, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."

"When he [Jesus] said this [parable of the sower], he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets [or mysteries] of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others, I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ (Luke 8:8-10)

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-4)

If our Heavenly Father was like an ungracious earthly father he may have given up on us the moment we have rebelled against him. But instead, our Father in heaven doesn’t turn a blind eye to our un-repented sin, he disciplines those he loves. Hebrews 12:6,10b says, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives...and he disciplines us for our good that we may share his holiness.” And holiness here is being transformed into the likeness of Christ's character - loving God and our neighbor.

Romans 6:2b
“We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”

Romans 6:6
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin”.

Romans 6:10-11
“The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Verse 2 says that we “have died to sin”.

Verse 6 says that “our old self was crucified with him [with Christ]”.

And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins...He [John the baptizer] said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees.

Luke 2:52 says,
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”

There was growth and development in Jesus’ earthly life. Though he was God's Son and possessed all the attributes of God the Father, Jesus didn't use his divinity to help him to obey his Heavenly Father perfectly. Jesus was a real man, and he grew mentally, socially, and spiritually.

Philippians 2:6-8 says,

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

But doesn’t God command and require our good works that we may live?
Yes, he does, but we would have to obey God’s law which means loving God and our neighbor perfectly.

Can anyone keep God’s law perfectly by loving God and our neighbor?